Groundbreaking guitar icon, Marty Friedman,  has just released his latest solo single,  “Illumination,” with a visualizer video. It comes from his freshly announced studio album, Drama, which is due out on May 17th, via Frontiers Music Srl. solidified his status as a unique guitar icon. Check out the new track in the article below and read more from Marty.

Pre-order Drama here.

On Drama Marty only slightly revisits the atmospheric elements of his acclaimed 1992 release Scenes, elevating them to a modern and exotic collection of epic, extravagant, and unapologetically emotional mini-symphonies. Tracks like “Illumination” and “Mirage” transport listeners to captivating realms, evoking sudden tears and chills. The entire album spotlights Marty’s mesmerizing melodies, game-changing arrangements, and heart-tugging motifs, even more than any of his previous work. Recorded in Italy, where Marty had access to a treasure trove of vintage guitars along with his modern signature models, Drama is a pure delight for anyone who appreciates music that stirs emotions.

Drama tracklisting:
01 Illumination 
02 Song for an Eternal Child
03 Triumph (Official Version) 
04 Thrill City
05 Deep End
06 Dead of Winter
07 Mirage
08 A Prayer
09 Acapella
10 Tearful Confession
11 Icicles
12 2 Rebeldes (Dead of Winter) (Spanish Version)
13 Mirage (Guitar Karaoke Version) Bonus track Japan

Produced By: Marty Friedman 
Studios: Newsin Audio Design, Italy
Woodcliff Studios, USA
NK Sound & Sunshine Studios, Japan
Recorded By: Luigi Stefanini, Frank Rosato, Takao Nakazato, Atsuo Akabae, Kenjiro Naka
Mixed By: Alexander Backlund and Jay Ruston
Mastered By: Koji Tanaka at Victor Creative Media, Tokyo
Guitar Technician & Sonic Guru: Franco Piona

More from Marty Friedman:
Since moving to Japan in 2003, Marty Friedman has become a household name even beyond the world of music. Fluent in Japanese, he has appeared on over 900 Japanese TV shows of every variety, as well as motion pictures and commercials including an ad campaign for Coca-Cola/Fanta that ran for over two years. He was recently appointed an Ambassador of Japan Heritage by the Japanese government who also commissioned him to compose the “Japan Heritage Theme Song”, recorded by Marty and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and is played at official government-related events. He has played the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Marathon 5 times, most recently in March 2024. Three books on Marty`s life have been released in Japan and a brand-new full autobiography will be released worldwide later this year.

In addition to his legendary work with Cacophony and Megadeth, Marty has released fifteen solo albums starting in 1988 with Dragon’s Kiss, and has had multi-platinum, platinum, and gold album sales awards in twenty-seven countries, achieving seven Grammy nominations to date. In recent years, Friedman has put out the distinguished, ongoing Tokyo Jukebox line, which, as the title suggests, is a series of albums featuring covers of Japanese songs starting with Tokyo Jukebox in 2009, Tokyo Jukebox 2 in 2011, and most recently, Tokyo Jukebox 3 in 2020. This series has become a go-to set for people all around the world who are fast becoming fascinated with Japan and its music.

Marty has played the Tokyo Dome, Budokan, and every major Japanese venue multiple times. He has toured Japan countless times with his solo music as well as alongside many legendary Japanese stars. Since the release of Tokyo Jukebox 3 in 2020, Marty has toured Japan twice, performed as a soloist with three major symphony orchestras, and made several TV appearances, most recently performing with Yoshiki of X Japan. Since the pandemic, Marty and his band have toured the U.S. twice and are planning to tour extensively for Drama.

Band Members: 
Marty Friedman – Guitar
Wakazaemon – Bass
Gregg Bissonette – Drums
Mika Maruki – Piano, Keyboard & Synth
Hiyori Okuda – Cello
Miho Chigyo – Violin

Guests:
Chris Brooks (Like A Storm) – Vocals on “Dead of Winter”
Steven Baquero Vargas – Vocals on “2 Rebeldes”
Or Lubianiker – Bass on “Mirage”
Naoki Morioka – Rhythm Guitar on “Thrill City”
Takuro Iga – Keys and Synth on “Sanctuary”
Chargeeeeee – Drums  on “Thrill City”

Additional recording:
Yukiko Takada, Jordan Rudess, Naoki Morioka, Maki Furugaki, Chris Brooks, Matt Brooks, Kent Brooks, Brian Becvar

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